Monday, 14 December 2015

Well, the gap between blog posts has grown bigger. Very sorry about that. There is a reason, though, explained below;

Before this, though I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me this year. It has been a crazy twelve months, with exciting exhibitions, commissions, events and more. It means a lot to me to hear that people appreciate my work, and I'm truly grateful that I'm able to do this for a living. So yes, a big THANKS to you all, and a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!LANDSCAPE ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2015

As I mentioned in my last post, I have taken part in the Sky Arts 'Landscape Artist Of The Year 2015' TV series. I actually did a little better than I expected, winning my heat, and getting to the semi-final (but sadly not making the final). This was an awful lot of fun, and a great experience, and since the series has been aired, things have been very busy indeed (far more than I had expected!).

I have written an article for the Folksy blog on my experience, and you can read it here. I also decided to create an edition of the print I produced during the semi-final, a view across the Thames, of the city of London. Some copies of it are available in my Folksy shop.

COUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE FEATURE

Country Living magazine run a feature every so often about artists and their studios, and for their January 2016 issue they wanted to feature me (which was nice!). The article explores my studio set-up and my interest in landscape and wildlife as subjects for my work. The magazine is available now.

'HOW TO PAINT A PORTRAIT' BOOKSky Arts have published another book related to the 'Portrait Artist Of The Year' series (which I took part in, in 2013) entitled'How To Paint A Portrait', and they have chosen twelve artists from the two series to focus on, showing readers how they create their portrait images. Now, I'm not a painter, so a little out on a limb here, but they asked me to demonstrate how I do this with lino. In the book, I chose to create a print of my eight-year-old son Henry, and they document the process along the way. It is a great book, and fascinating to see how different the approach is for the other artists.

WORKSHOPS

I've had a lot of demand for my workshops of late, so I've arranged a new date for an 'Introduction To Linocut' one, on Sat 20th February 2016, at The Art House, Backfields, Sheffield. Places are £40 each, and all materials are provided. If you are interested in a place (there are 8 available), please email me on jgprintworks@hotmail.com

Monday, 5 October 2015

Well, my September post didn't quite happen (sorry), but I have plenty of print-related stuff to tell you about this month;

SKY ARTS LANDSCAPE ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2015

I've had to keep quiet about this until now, but I can now reveal that I have taken part in a new TV series on Sky Arts, entitled 'Landscape Artist Of The Year'! It is a national competition, where artists in each episode are given a mystery view and a limited amount of time, and are asked to create a piece of work. It is a bit like the 'Portrait Artist..' series I took part in a couple of years ago, with the same presenters (Frank Skinner and Joan Bakewell) and judges (Tai Shan Schierenberg, Kathleen Soriano and Kate Bryan). There were over 2000 entries initially, and 48 were chose for the first rounds. It was an awful lot of fun to be involved, and everyone involved was hugely supportive and friendly. I can't say much more apart from that the series starts on Tuesday 6th October (on Sky Arts) at 8pm, and I make my appearance on Tuesday 27th October....

WORKSHOPS

I have a couple of workshops coming up in December 2015 and January 2016;

Introduction to Linocut half-day mini-workshopSat 12th December 2015, 10am-1pm, £20 per person (8 places)The Art House, 8 Backfields,
Sheffield, S1 4HJI'm running a one-off mini-workshop at this new location, a fantastic gallery/workshop/studio space in the centre of Sheffield. The workshop is designed as a taster for those interested in linocut, and the aim of it is to create a small one-colour linocut, maybe with a festive theme(?). No experience needed and all materials provided.To book, please contact The Art House.

This is a full day workshop for those wanting to create a one-colour linocut. No experience necessary and all materials provided. You just need to bring along an idea or image you'd like to turn into a print.To book, please email me on jgprintworks @ hotmail.comEVENTS

This is the time of year that loads of good events pop up. I'll be taking part in the following ones from October to December 2015:

I'm taking part in a woodcut exhibition called 'Cut Wood' at The Hepworth Wakefield from 23rd October 2015 until 4th February 2016. I don't normally do woodcuts, but for this exhibition I've produced an edition of my 'Long EaredOwl' one for the occasion. Other artists taking part in this include Ian Burke, Hilary Paynter, Beverley White.

I'm also taking part in an exhibition at Lyme Park in Cheshire, connected to the Sky Arts TV show, but I don't have any more info on that quite yet!

Tuesday, 11 August 2015

Hello peopleYes, I can finally reveal 'what happened next' to the blue donkey (think 'red donkey' for those of you who managed to get one of the hand-pressed originals)! My donkeys don't really live in a traditional world, but in a mysterious other-world, where there is an occasional helping-hand. It so happens that donkeys are continually regretting adventures, and being assisted.Does that make any sense? Anyway, the print is now on show as part of the 'No Words Required' exhibition at A Month Of Sundays gallery in Sheffield, alongside work by Sir Paul Smith, Designers Republic, Kid Acne, Jo Peel, Florence Blanchard, Jonathan Wilkinson and many more. It runs throughout August 2015.For those not able to get to the exhibition, it is also available from my Folksy shop. There are only 25 copies in total:'Blue Donkey Liberation' A3 2-colour screen-print

Here are some photos I took of the rest of the exhibition:

Also now available is 'The Folk Forest No.5' poster-print. The print was made to commemorate the festival of the same name, and I have created a limited (100 copies) A3 poster-print. It is now in my Folksy shop at:'The Folk Forest No.5' A3 poster-print

EVENTSI'm taking part in this event this weekend:The Big Village FeteWeston Park Museum/Weston Park, Sheffield, Sat 15th August, 10.30am-4.30pmThis is a fundraiser to help revamp the Museum. There will be craft stalls, all sorts of games and family activities, fancy dress and a treasure hunt!WORKSHOPSI have an 'Intro To Linocut' workshop available to book on Saturday 10th October 2015.

On the workshop you'll learn how to create your very own one-colour linocut print. No experience is necessary, and all materials are included, as well as tea, coffee and biscuits. The workshop will take place at Sheffield Print Club, which is at 15 Lenton Street, S2 4BH.

Monday, 6 July 2015

Right, I'm trying to be good and not leave it so long between blog posts...

This is a view of my studio. I've tided up a bit and it feels a bit more of a homely space to work in. Still work-in-progress, but I'm getting there!

NEW WORKS

My'Peloton'print is now available in my Folksy shop. It is an A3 poster-print, printed on 200gsm natural paper.

At the end of the month I am also releasing a new Folk Forest print, entitled 'The Folk Forest No.5', to coincide with the 5th year of the Folk Forest music, arts and crafts festival in Sheffield. It will be a limited (100 copies) A3 poster-print, on 200gsm natural paper. It will be available initially from my stall at the Folk Forest Fair at the festival which happens on Sat 25th and Sun 26th July 2015 in Endcliffe Park, Sheffield, but if there are any left after I will put them in my Folksy shop. The event is well worth a visit! Great music, location, art & craft and food/drinks!

EVENTSI am taking part in two events this month:

Sharrow Vale Market, Sharrow Vale Road, Sunday 19th July 2015, 12-4pmIt has been a while since I took part in this, but it is always fun. Gourmet burgers, nice coffee, art, Greek dancing and all sorts!

The Folk Forest Fair, Endcliffe Park, Sheffield, Sat 25th and Sun 26th July 2015, 12-8pmAs mentioned above, as part of the festival. There is an impressive arts and crafts fair with all sorts of homewares, art, clothes, jewellery and more...

EXHIBITIONSI'm taking part in a new exhibition at A Month Of Sundays gallery in Sheffield, entitled 'No Words Required'. The premise is that each artist was asked to create a new piece of work in a comic-strip format, with no words. I've created a new screen-print, a kind-of sequel to one of my current prints. I'm not saying any more than this for now, but further hints may appear on my facebook! The exhibition runs from 1st Aug until the 29th Aug 2015. There are some great artists included, so I'm flattered to have been asked!

Thursday, 4 June 2015

Yes, I've been slack on the blog-front. Sorry. I have been meaning to post up new stuff, but time sometimes conspires against me (I'm sure you know how that works).So I've settled into my new studio. It is still a bit of a mess, but I'm getting there. Photos next time!

NEW PRINTSI have several new prints to show you, a few Sheffield ones, a new donkey, a turtle a dinosaur and a bird!

Firstly I have created a new A3 one-colour screen-print version of 'Sheffield City View No.4'. Quite a few people had been asking if I had a hand-printed version of this, so I've created a new edition (of 32). It is a view looking across the city from Meersbrook.

Next, I have created my biggest donkey yet! Entitled 'Mystery Donkey No.1', it is an A2 size two-colour screen-print, in an edition of 20. What with being mysterious, I can't tell you much about him...

Next, I have created two A3-size poster-print versions of my 'Sheffield City View No.5' linocut. in blackcurrant & blue and green & orange. A view through Nether Edge in the city, if you know it.

Next, I have created a A3 poster-print version of my 'Grouse' linocut. Curious wee bird I saw recently while on holiday in North Yorkshire. I'd never seen one in the flesh (feather) before! Is is available only in my NOTHS shop.

Next, I have created a new A3 poster-print entitled 'Peloton'. I will be 'launching' this at the Eroica Britannia cycling festival in Bakewell (see in EVENTS for more info), and after it will be available in my Folksy shop.

Next, I was asked by Museums Sheffield to create a special commissioned print to mark the reopening of the Metalwork Gallery in the Millennium Galleries. The main object in the gallery is a large metal turtle, so it seemed appropriate! It is a limited edition A3 poster-print (edition of 40), only available from the galleries.

Finally, I have created an exclusive version of my 'Deinonychus!' poster-print for Museums Sheffield for the shop in Weston Park Museum. It is only available there in an edition of 40 copies.

WORKSHOPS

I have an 'Intro To Linocut' workshop available for booking currently, on Sat 4th July 2015. Places cost £35
per person, and 8 places are available at each workshop (currently there are three places left!). No experience
is necessary and all materials provided. At the end of the workshop
you'll come out with a one-colour linocut print, and of course, your
precious lino! Email me on jgprintworks@hotmail.com if you'd like to book a place.

This
is primarily a festival celebrating cycling and nostalgia, but there
are all sorts of other things going on, including lots of live bands,
food and drink, kids activities and, of course, arts and crafts! There
are all sorts of races going on, and camping too. Sounds crazy!

Wednesday, 22 April 2015

Since I last waffled on to you, there has been one big change to things at Printworks HQ. I've moved house (not that far), but now have my very own print studio in the garden! It might not seem much, but I've had to use the kitchen table for the last 12 years for my prints, so it feels like a real step forward. Here are a couple of pics:

my new studio

view from my studio

I'll not show you the inside until it is a bit more sorted. I'm currently able to work in there, but it is a bit of a mess!

WORKSHOPS

I have two 'Intro To Linocut' workshops available for booking currently, on Sat 16th May 2015 and Sat 4th July 2015. They are £35 per person, and 8 places are available at each workshop. No experience is necessary and all materials provided. At the end of the workshop you'll come out with a one-colour linocut print, and of course, your precious lino! Email me on jgprintworks@hotmail.com if you'd like to book a place.

EVENTS

Quite a few events coming up over the next couple of months:

Open Up Sheffield- Sheffield Print Club, Unit 2, 15 Lenton Street, Sheffield S2 4BH2nd/3rd/4th/9th/10th May 2015, 11am-5pmAlong with Ella Osborne, Leaf City Press and Elodie G I'll be at SPC, with my work, and doing a spot of linocut and screen-printing. 'Open Up' is a great event, been going years now. Lots of people enjoy touring the city and outskirts to seek out the art and craft on offer. You can find the accompanying booklets all around the city, and the website has a very useful map to help you find each studio.

Saltaire Arts Trail Maker Fair, Victoria Hall, Victoria Road, Saltaire BD18 3JS23rd/24th/25th May 2015, 10am-5pmThis is the second time I've done this event, and last time it was really special. A great atmosphere, and so many great artists and craftspeople. The whole town really does come out for it!

This is primarily a festival celebrating cycling and nostalgia, but there are all sorts of other things going on, including lots of live bands, food and drink, kids activities and, of course, arts and crafts! There are all sorts of races going on, and camping too. Sounds crazy!

Monday, 9 March 2015

Yes, January and February were both quite light on the announcements front, but March has started with a great load of events, plus THREE new prints! Phew....

NEW PRINTS

Firstly I'd like to introduce the 'Blackbird'. I've been meaning to do another bird linocut for a while, and top of my list was this creature. Some might say he is well suited to a linocut and I think I'd agree! He is a two-colour hand-pressed linocut in very dark grey and yellow, A4 size on 220gsm acid-free paper.He is now in my Folksy shop, priced at £22, and will also be available at events

Next up are two screen-prints
I've been working on for a while. I tried with these two to put donkeys
in landscapes, rather than dominating the scenes, and also tried a more
loose approach to composition. These are also the first two prints I have created in about five years that are landscape in orientation, so it felt quite new to be working this way round. Anyway, I hope you like them. I had a lot
of fun designing and printing them (at Sheffield Print Club)! Oh, they are entitled 'Happenings In Donkey World No.1 & No.2'.

They are both 3-colour screenprints, A3 size, hand-pulled by myself and printed on 270gsm acid-free paper. They are both available in my Folksy shop, priced at £40 each, and at forthcoming events too:

Thursday, 15 January 2015

.. would be an easier solution in the month of January, but no, us humans are gluttons for punishment. Those festive two weeks off can wreak havoc with our minds, and I always find it difficult to get back up to full-speed after the break. But I'm trying my best... so here goes....

NOTHS

You might have noticed on the right-hand-side of the page that I have opened a NotOnTheHighStreet.Com shop. I am selling exclusive poster-print versions of some of my wildlife linocuts there. Have a nosey if you like.My notonthehighstreet.com shop

About Me

Brief Biography

I've been producing printed artwork for perhaps the last 15 years. In 2010 I decided to go full-time as an artist, and I'm still at it! I specialise in linocuts and screen-prints.I graduated with a degree in Fine Art in 1995, specialising in photography (for no other reason than I didn't really enjoy painting or sculpture), and then spent the next few years in dead-end jobs and being unemployed, fighting with thousands of other arts graduates for the rare art-related jobs that appeared.Eventually I worked in a few (non art-related) decent jobs, and then discovered print-making. It was a revelation to me. A way of creating art that felt physical and quite a challenge! I'm inspired by the graphic quality of printmaking, and the way you can say a lot with very little. Artist-wise I'm inspired by people like Goya, Stanley Spencer, Max Beckmann and Egon Schiele. All quite direct artists. More contemporary people I like are the artist/graphic novelist Chris Ware, Kid Acne, illustrator Jonathan Wilkinson and cartoonist/writer Elodie Ginsbourg.So I've been doing it ever since, and now spend all my time working on it (aside from the time spent being a musician - my other passion).I've had a little success along the way being shortlisted in 2006 for the International Small Print Competition for my work 'Paris Buggy' and taking part in the 'Portrait Artist Of The Year' and 'Landscape Artist Of The Year' TV shows in 2013/2015 (reaching the semi-final in the latter). I've also produced commissions for people like Paul Smith Menswear,The Hepworth Wakefield, Sheffield Children's Festival, The Folk Forest music festival and Domino Records. I sell my work via my Folksy shop, my NOTHS shop, to various shops and galleries around the UK, and also at various Art/Craft Markets.I also have a facebook page too. Please come along and become a fan if you like my stuff!